Career and Education Opportunities for Camera Operators in Coral Springs, Florida

For those living in the Coral Springs, Florida area, there are many career and education opportunities for camera operators. There are currently 1,490 working camera operators in Florida; this should grow 20% to about 1,790 working camera operators in the state by 2016. This is better than the nation as a whole, where employment opportunities for camera operators are expected to grow by about 9.2%. In general, camera operators operate television, video, or motion picture camera to photograph images or scenes for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.

The income of a camera operator is about $16 per hour or $34,290 per year on average in Florida. In the U.S. as a whole, their income is about $20 hourly or $41,670 annually on average. Camera operators earn less than people working in the category of Media Technical generally in Florida and more than people in the Media Technical category nationally. Jobs in this field include: cinematographer, studio camera operator, and television producer.

There are fifty schools of higher education in the Coral Springs area, including five within twenty-five miles of Coral Springs where you can get a degree to start your career as a camera operator. Camera operators usually hold a high school diploma or GED, so you can expect to spend only a short time training to become a camera operator if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Camera Operator

Camera Operator video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, camera operators operate television, video, or motion picture camera to photograph images or scenes for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.

Camera operators use cameras in any of several different camera mounts such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted. They also operate zoom lenses, changing images according to given requirements and rehearsal instructions. Finally, camera operators operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts or motion pictures.

Every day, camera operators are expected to be able to understand events and object details at a distance. They need to listen to and understand others in meetings. It is also important that they evaluate problems as they arise.

It is important for camera operators to adjust positions and controls of cameras and related apparatus to change focus and lighting. They are often called upon to gather and edit raw footage on location to send to television affiliates for broadcast, using electronic news-gathering or film-production equipment. They also observe sets or locations for potential problems and to establish filming and lighting requirements. They are sometimes expected to test and maintain apparatus to insure proper working condition. Somewhat less frequently, camera operators are also expected to view films to deal with problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables.

Camera operators sometimes are asked to label and record contents of exposed film, and note details on report forms. They also have to be able to download exposed film for shipment to processing labs and read charts and compute ratios to establish variables such as lighting and camera distances. And finally, they sometimes have to ready slates that describe the scenes being filmed.

Like many other jobs, camera operators must be reliable and be thorough and dependable.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Coral Springs include:

Broadcast Technician. Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to transmit radio and television programs. Control audio equipment to regulate volume level and quality of sound during radio and television broadcasts. Operate radio transmitter to broadcast radio and television programs.

Director. Interpret script, conduct rehearsals, and direct activities of cast and technical crew for stage, motion pictures, or radio programs.

Graphic Designer. Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Camera Operator Training

City College - Fort Lauderdale, FL

City College, 2000 W. Commerical Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. City College is a small college located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 441 students and an admission rate of 74%. City College has an associate's degree program in Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician which graduated eleven students in 2008.

The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale Inc - Fort Lauderdale, FL

The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale Inc, 1799 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-3000. The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale Inc is a small school located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 3,071 students and an admission rate of 52%. The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale Inc has 2 areas of study related to Camera Operator. They are:

Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician, associate's degree which graduated 23 students in 2008.

Cinematography and Film/Video Production, associate's degree and bachelor's degree which graduated twenty-seven and twenty-nine students respectively in 2008.

McFatter Technical Center - Davie, FL

McFatter Technical Center, 6500 Nova Drive, Davie, FL 33317. McFatter Technical Center is a small school located in Davie, Florida. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 1,039 students. McFatter Technical Center has a one to two year program in Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician which graduated seven students in 2008.

Broward College - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College, 225 E las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Broward College is a large college located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 33,527 students. Broward College has a less than one year and an associate's degree program in Cinematography and Film/Video Production which graduated sixteen and seven students respectively in 2008.

Miami Lakes Educational Center - Miami Lakes, FL

Miami Lakes Educational Center, 5780 NW 158th St, Miami Lakes, FL 33014. Miami Lakes Educational Center is a small school located in Miami Lakes, Florida. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 1,376 students. Miami Lakes Educational Center has a less than one year and a one to two year program in Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician.

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LOCATION INFORMATION: Coral Springs, Florida

Coral Springs, Florida photo by Legionarius

Coral Springs is located in Broward County, Florida. It has a population of over 125,783, which has grown by 7.0% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Coral Springs, 115, is well above the national average. New single-family homes in Coral Springs are valued at $140,000 on average, which is far less than the state average. In 2008, two new homes were constructed in Coral Springs, down from thirteen the previous year.

The three most popular industries for women in Coral Springs are health care, educational services, and finance and insurance. For men, it is construction, professional, scientific, and technical services, and finance and insurance. The average travel time to work is about 28 minutes. More than 33.9% of Coral Springs residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 11.6%, is higher than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Coral Springs is 8.8%, which is less than Florida's average of 11.3%.

The percentage of Coral Springs residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 45.9%, is less than the national average but more than the state average. Coral Baptist Church Mission, Coral Springs Community Church and Royal Palm Christian Church are among the churches located in Coral Springs. The most prominent religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention and the United Methodist Church.

Coral Springs is home to the The Plaza at Coral Springs and the Ramblewood Plaza. Shopping centers in the area include Coral Springs Mall, Coral Square Mall and Village Green Shopping Center.